Longford County Council is hoping to make significant progress with a new CCTV system for the county town next year.
The local authority has published a tender for the installation of over thirty new cameras across the town with the removal of the existing cameras forming stage one of the process.
A new 48m high mast will also have to be built at Connolly Barracks as part of the co-ordination of footage from the cameras.
Earlier this year Longford's Joint Policing Committee approved the provision of a new CCTV system for the county town.
The cameras will only focus at public areas and not at people's private property, and the control tower to receive the images is to be relocated within the former Connolly Barracks compound to allow direct line of sight for the control centre.
Locations for cameras will include Ballymacormack cemetery, Annally Park, Dun Darrach and several other areas identified as part of a public consultation earlier this year.
The existing 20 cameras will be removed, with some relocated to other areas.
A new 48m high mast will have to be developed at Connolly Barracks to allow the cameras 'talk' to each other with a part 8 planning application expected in early 2021.
After this is approved, construction is expected to begin quickly and then the installation of the cameras can start - subject to approval by the Garda Commissioner.
The information recorded by the cameras will be relayed to a special room in Longford County Council, while Gardai in Longford will also have access to the pictures.
Special security measures will also be installed as part of the overall process with the deadline for people to submit their interest for the tender by the 4th of December.]
